$5k w converter seems reasonable for a well built E4OD, lots of research (aka R&D) into a durable design goes into stuff. Go check out what some modestly built 5R110s and 6R140s run, you will think $5k is a bargain. ha

Clutch effort with that South Bend 'Stage 3' is shockingly less than the Luk single mass flywheel conversion kit that came off. No joke. I thought I had ****ed up the hydraulics or something upon reinstall it was so soft to me. Not that the Luk was bad, a bit stiffer than my old five speed 7-series BMW. This SBC is softer than that now! But it also I am sure had something to do with it was worn and this SBC is new and a high quality unit. As I understand pedal effort increases as clutches wear. AND I still need to flush or install new hydraulics.

https://www.southbendclutch.com/clut...44-5OFEK-7873/



Midwest charges a few hundred more to reman the ZF S6-50 compared to the ZF S5-4X...surprised me too! I was hoping my ZF would have lasted more than eight months of daily work. PO did the single mass conversion and replaced the output seal, it was not torqued to spec so lots of lube leaked and hurt that input pocket bearing. :/ Otherwise these usually have solid guts.

I still figure it will cost you about the same in the end, regardless of which route you choose.

 

I have always used the stock LUK clutch kit with a SMF. My clutch feels like a clutch in a Honda Civic on all my trucks. And don't let someone tell you you have to have the $500 South Bend/Valero blah blah. ALL of my clutches have been on trucks with some tuning and they have held up very well to towing heavy loads and using my horsepower on hand. A new LUK kit with a new flywheel is about $275 give or take a few dollars.

 

I don't know what clutch mine has. The previous owner asked me if my knees were good. He said it was a single mass, flywheel looks solid. He is the original owner also. I'll ask him sometime. He towed heavy but said the clutch and suspension springs were the only changes. It blows a little black smoke, part pedal, up near 3K rpm but I think it's stock. Goes good. If I let it wind up a little from a stop light nobody keeps up.

I've driven a number of other similar trucks and don't remember the clutches either way. Also driven a number of big trucks and they weren't any stiffer than this one.

I replaced the hydraulics with a Wagner system. It didn't seem to change anything but the leaks. Are the hydraulics different for the single mass system?

 

They are not different. I have always replaced mine with a LUK system as well.....100 bucks. Now I do think, for some reason, the LUK system hydraulics make the pedal feel a little bit better and softer. That has been my experience anyways.

 

 

Agree on clutch, I went with the SBC because I hope to have decent size injectors eventually. R&R of that trans is not something I want to do again.

 

Well, I talked to a fellow named Matt at Midwest. They sell a rebuilt S47 ZF5 for $2260 plus shipping, plus, and this is a big one, a $1,000 core charge. I told Matt that I would only have my E4OD as a core and he said no dice, I'd have to pay an additional $1,000 for the ZF5, bringing the cost up to $3260 plus shipping. I get a $100 new customer discount but that doesn't tip the scales. Have to rethink this. Again.

 

Dang.... I could have sold you the one I had for 700 but unfortunately it is gone as of last night...

Oh well.

 

Jarrett,
Ha! interesting how timing either works or it doesn't!

 

I still say you can find a cheaper option than the one you have most recently found.

 

Byron, yes, I can find ZF5's a lot cheaper but it's a lot like buying a pig in a poke. I'd either have to tear it apart and go through it like Hit Man did, or find out after I installed it that it needs work and I'd have to tear it out again. I guess I'd rather pay the money and only cry once.

I'm not sure I want to post about my next option, but I'm looking at ZF6's now.

 

Just a heads up on the ZF6 swap. If your truck is a 4X4, you will have to use a transfer case for the zf6, as the OBS trucks use a smaller output shaft on their trannys, and will not fit on the zf6, so you will have quite a lot more into the swap if you go this route.

 

Tom, yes, I've studied the ZF6 swap a little bit. Need the NP transfer case and it seems most of them are electrically actuated, which seems to be a problem for a lot of guys. I don't see where the big problem would be in hooking up the switch but maybe I'm missing something.

Also have to do more sheet metal hammering to make room for it.

 

And apparently the gain isn't worth the work, from what I have read anyways.

 

That seems to be purely a matter of opinion. Plus, I won't mention any names but I've heard more or less identical comments from guys about OBS trucks in general. LoL!